graham
(regular)
29/04/2008 08:27
Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

To balance out all the Tropical Paradises mentioned in the Favourite Places thread this question is aimed at pointing out some of the places not to be.

Question is :Name 10 places in the B.C. that should be avoided in fresh wind against tide situations due to the likelihood of overfalls ,breaking waves etc. I dont know them all so the winner may have to be decided by everyone else.

I'll kick it off with one ,Coming up Channel I once came around the end of Brean Down a few hours into the ebb tide with a strong Westerly. pushing against the tide made it slow progress and it was horrendous with lots of breaking waves ,wash boards in etc. We could have slipped across to Barry but our friends were at Uphill in another boat ,we just got into the River with barely enough water. Never again.


sarabande
(regular)
29/04/2008 14:38
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Trinity House have a useful list
http://www.trinityhouse.co.uk/review/


My local favourite is Hartland Point.


mrbloto
(regular)
29/04/2008 17:34
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

wranny is not a nice place to be,st govans, helwick pass. the bitches, any of the sounds ramsey ,jack.nash passag

Sneds
(regular)
29/04/2008 19:41
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Don't wanna be off Watchet with no engine on an ebbing tide blowing F6!
http://www.mineheadlifeboat.org.uk/shouts.htm
scrol down to the 28-08-06
Sat 3rd May at 1500 sees the naming of the new lifeboat, will try to get along, weather depending!


Alcyone
(regular)
29/04/2008 20:12
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Mixon. Been scared there a few times.

NJMcK
(regular)
29/04/2008 20:33
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Jack Sound, Pembrokeshire, espescially the southern end. Rather scary overfalls, pushing up triangular standing waves 10 feet high and more. Not the best place to be in a 20' motor boat, as we were once last year.

tangomoon
(regular)
30/04/2008 10:48
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Stanley Bank North East of Lundy and to the East/South east where the giant wave appears

seedog
(regular)
30/04/2008 13:50
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Sarabande thanks for the link, a really useful reference point but it took me a little while to work out where to look.

However this thread has made me distinctly nervous as BC seems to have more than it's fair share of hazards. Will spend lots of time passage planning and thinking about options.


Alcyone
(regular)
30/04/2008 14:49
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

On a related point, Louise and I have, over the years, dived all over the UK, South coast, Cornwall, Scotland, Red Sea, Sudan, Caribbean and way out in the Pacific. Every where we go we get told to watch out for strong currents which will wash us away to oblivion. I've never yet felt anything like the currents I regularly endure on the Gower and West Wales.

I've always found it comforting. If you can hack it here, it's really good experience when you go somewhere else.


Damo
(regular)
01/05/2008 07:34
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Where is the "giant wave" you mention? Is it in the southern Race?

A yacht from here was knocked down about 3 miles off Hartland last summer by a big'un.


tangomoon
(regular)
01/05/2008 13:08
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

It's called the Oyster and under certain weather conditions forms approx two miles off Croyde Point.

Big hole created by the Americans testing or destroying ordnance is apparently the cause

Surfers know about it, for some reason boaters don't - difficult to find despite the internet though!

There's another one at Newquay but very close in.

Yacht knocked down 3 miles off Hartland - unusual that's considered safe water on the ebb and flood. Was it the wave or the wind or both.


Nicki_Crutchfield
(regular)
01/05/2008 16:28
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Worst place I know is Hartland bar none. It gets a very wide berth irrespective of weather.
Nicki


Nicki_Crutchfield
(regular)
01/05/2008 16:34
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Oyster Falls is considerably nearer than 2 miles; if you are that far in you are quite close to land from a navigational point of view which is possibly why it is not charted? As far as I can work out with the sounder it is the continuation of Downend Point which marks the northern end of Croyde beach. It is a dangerous place in swell with the water dropping from 20 to 5 metres. It produces a truly huge wave which breaks left and right. Some of my mates use jet skis for tow in surfing. I have seen it breaking (from the channel in my RIB, NOT surfing it) on a big day and it is a good sight.
Nicki


graham
(regular)
01/05/2008 19:40
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Dont think anyone listed 10 places. Have to admit I had bnever heard of the Giant Wave .So will give that area a wide berth.

I think Mr bloto listed the most sxo next q is on you Tim.


Damo
(regular)
01/05/2008 21:02
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

IIRC the knockdown was in about F5 SW-ish, and the yacht (32' AWB sloop) said they were broad-reaching in a very sloppy sea, with two sets of waves. A very big wave suddenly reared up and put the spreaders in the water - everything in the cockpit went into the sea, except for the skipper who was clipped on (family were below and OK). He said he thought they were far enough offshore, and another boat in company didn't feel the same effects. Almost certainly wind with tide, and it "just came out of nowhere"!

clarinettist
(regular)
03/05/2008 18:30
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

What's the stategy for Hartland Point, keep well off, or is there an inner passage like Portland Bill?

DawnStar
(regular)
03/05/2008 21:43
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

You can either stay well off shore to avoid the race or go very close in (Spit on the beach) the shortest passage.

csail
(regular)
03/05/2008 22:25
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Stay well off shore if its getting nasty...that is the theory for any headland or shallow water.

mrbloto
(regular)
04/05/2008 11:46
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

does any body wish to leave a question as i am lost for one at the moment

Nicki_Crutchfield
(regular)
04/05/2008 12:13
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Definitely no inshore passage round Hartland. I find it is worse going north than south for some reason. Anyone?
Nicki


tico
(regular)
06/05/2008 13:35
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Jack Sound
Wild goose race
Helwick bank
& the worst.... St Govan's!


tangomoon
(regular)
07/05/2008 17:36
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Agree going North seems worse and bumpy water continues for approx 3 miles N of light.

You can take the inshore passage but advise only when little amount of wind


graham
(regular)
12/05/2008 21:38
Re: Bristol Channel Quiz (26)

Mr Bloto doesnt have a question at the moment.Will you start us off with the next question.


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